Feb 15
Skype has a new video messages feature. Through an Android, iOS, or Mac app, you can send other users three-minute recordings. More »
Feb 15
Skype starts testing video voicemail feature on OS X, Android and iOS, we go hands-on (video) (update)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Facebook and Vine were just the beginning — you should have known that. Especially once the biggest social network in the world started dipping its toes in the VoIP pool. Skype isn’t about to let others encroach on its hard won territory without a fight. The Microsoft-owned messaging platform has started testing what amounts to a video voicemail feature on OS X, Android and iOS, something that had already been hinted at in its updated TOS. Why those operating systems at first, without any word about Windows or Windows Phone, we’re unsure. But it’s a safe bet Redmond’s own platforms will get the feature sooner rather than later. Currently users in the US and UK should be seeing the option, just dig a bit as it might be hidden behind a more actions or overflow icon, as it is on Android. Customers are getting 20 free video messages to start, though we weren’t able to wrangle any further details out of the company regarding pricing.
(Update: While we still have some unanswered questions regarding pricing, Skype did say that unlimited voice messaging will be included as part of a premium subscription.)
(Update 2: A Skype spokesperson reached out to us with the following statement about availability:
“Users in these markets across all Windows desktop and mobile platforms can receive messages, too. We will have send capability in Windows by end of April. In the meantime, we continue to test this new feature in its early release.”
April isn’t ideal, but it’s better than nothing.)
Feb 15
Back in November, Microsoft announced that it would be shutting down its Messenger service and would migrate all of its users to Skype instead. Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011, and it looks like the Redmond-based company is taking advantage of purchase. Today, Microsoft detailed how it will be transitioning its millions of users over the Skype.
Microsoft is planning begin the upgrade process from Messenger to Skype on April 8, and the process is expected to take a few weeks to complete. The company will start with English-speaking users, and will then move onto its Brazilian Portuguese users on April 30 or later. By then, Microsoft says all its users should be good to go.
Back in January, Microsoft sent a mass email to all of its Messenger users, noting that beginning on March 15, Microsoft will begin to discontinue Messenger for a “test group” comprising a small handful of the “tens of millions” of users. Then come April 8, a full transition will begin for all users.
The phase out for Messenger is only for the desktop version, as it represents the majority of Messenger users. However, Skype execs have not provided a timetable as to when Microsoft plans to retire the Messenger service on mobile platforms, but it’ll probably only be a matter of time before the company gets around to that.
Microsoft details transition from Messenger to Skype is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Feb 15
Ever since Microsoft acquired Skype and confirmed the end of Windows Live Messenger, a merger has been a tiny dot off on the horizon. Now Microsoft has pinned down when the two will become one: this April. More »
Feb 13
Microsoft has released Skype version 6.2 for Windows and Mac. The new version features eGifting, a new toolbar and a few other bug improvements. When Skype users receive notifications for friend’s birthdays, they can send credit as gifts to these friends. The credit can then be utilized by the receiving party for making calls to destinations of their choice. (more…)
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Google Now Widget Hits The Deck, Skype 6.1 For Windows Desktop Boasts Of Outlook Integration,
Feb 13
On the mobile front, BlackBerry 10 is still waiting to get in on the Skype action, but the same can definitely not be said about the calling / messaging services on the more desktop-oriented platforms that are OS X and Windows. On this occasion, the application’s new revision brings, most notably, an eGifting feature that’s set to allow Mac and PC users to send Skype credits to anyone they deem worthy of receiving them — so long as they have an account set up, of course. Skype’s also slightly redesigned the top toolbar on the Windows edition to make it more of an all-around hub for accessing “Home,” “Creating Groups,” and “Adding Contacts,” while, in version 6.2, the OS X app gets the ability to send one-way SMS without the need for number verification. Both updates are available now, so hit that source link if you’re interested in checking out the novel features.
Feb 13
When Skype was released all those years ago, who would have thought that it would have grown to be such a big monster than it is today? Well, Skype has now entered version 6.1 territory (for the Windows platform anyways), where it sports Outlook integration alongside a visual update to the toolbar. In a nutshell, Skype 6.1 for Windows is an exciting development, simply because many folks still spend a significant amount of their time on email, and no longer do you need to toggle between your email and Skype desktop clients, since it is very convenient to send a Skype instant message, begin a free Skype to Skype call, or perhaps even to make a call to any mobile or landline within Outlook itself.
Microsoft has now integrated both Skype and Outlook to display contacts’ online status, contact information and mood message, right within the Outlook contact card. Not only that, you can now call anyone on their mobile or landline from Outlook, letting Skype perform the initiation process, as long as their contact information remains in Outlook. Best of all is, you don’t even need to befriend them over Skype first. You will be able to download Skype 6.1 for Windows here if you are interested.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Google Now Widget Hits The Deck, Skype 6.2 Gets eGifting, New Toolbar,
Feb 07
The team behind the Google+ video chat environment “Hangouts” has updated the system this week to work with internet connection speeds of all varieties. To attach to those that normally wouldn’t be able to keep up with a video chat interface (be it Hangouts, Skype, or otherwise), the Google developers working with Hangouts have revealed two new features: a Bandwidth Slider and “Audio-Only mode.” This means Google+ is ready to do not just video chat, but phone calls as well – almost as if Google Voice has come to visit!
With Google+ invading on not just Skype’s territory here, but Facebook Messanger’s as well, it’s not surprising to see updates coming in faster and faster each month. Back when Google+ was first introduced, Hangouts were all but a whisper on the radars of their future competitors. Now it would appear that Google+, a social network of some note, is sending the message loud and clear: “we want everyone!”
This update comes from Google developer Tim Blasi who writes specifically to those of you out there working with “low and/or unreliable connectivity.” With the Bandwidth Slider you’ll be able to literally push the quality of your video feed up or down for quality based on how powerful your web connection will allow. This will also be nice for those of you that want to video chat but don’t need the top quality you’re allowed.
With Audio-Only Mode you’ve got a one-button tap to take you out of the video game entirely. This button has you continue to speak in a group Hangout as you normally would, but with your profile image replacing what would normally be your video feed. Sound like a winning combination to you?
We’ve also this week seen an update for Skype for iOS that included automatic call recovery as well as instant messaging improvements. The war is getting hot right here and now! Have a peek at the timeline below to see what Google+ Hangouts has brought to the table over the past few months as well.
[via Google+]
Google+ Hangouts get “bandwidth slider” to battle Skype is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Feb 07
One of the portions of BlackBerry’s BlackBerry 10 launch event that created a lot of chatter with BlackBerry fans is the fact the company secured a deal with Skype to allow its application to be made available on the BlackBerry 10 platform. During our time with the BlackBerry Z10, we noticed Skype was absent from BlackBerry World, even though the company said Skype was committed to making its application available on BlackBerry 10.
It looks like there wasn’t something wrong with our eyes as Skype has yet to officially launch on BlackBerry World, which Skype has confirmed its application is still being worked on as they “are working closely with BlackBerry to ensure the Skype for Android app runs great in the BlackBerry 10 environment.”
Yes – you read right that last sentence correctly. The Skype application that will be made available on BlackBerry 10 will be a port of the Skype for Android application. Considering Android applications ported to BlackBerry 10 aren’t fully optimized to be used on the OS, the new Skype application could be more of a letdown than we originally anticipated if BlackBerry and Skype don’t work together to make sure all of the app’s kinks are ironed out before it’s released into BlackBerry World.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Possible Samsung Galaxy S4 Camera Images Spotted On Google+, Steve Wozniak Thinks Apple Is Behind On Smartphones, 
Feb 07
We’ve been told that nearly 40 percent of all BlackBerry 10 apps in BB World are Android ports, but what about some of the big-name apps boasted on stage at the launch event last week? In its latest blog post, Skype revealed its dirty secret: the service is “working closely with BlackBerry to ensure the Skype for Android app runs great in the BlackBerry 10 environment.” Indeed, one of the most anticipated programs announced on January 30th — which we’re told should be available soon — is a repackaged Android port; this leaves us a little skeptical of its performance, though we’ll save final judgment for when it’s finally ready to download. Let’s just say we’re hoping that Runtime adds Jelly Bean support sooner rather than later.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Blackberry
Via: The Verge
Source: Skype
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